Now Vinnie and Stewart have two things in common! Looks like he is doing some major change-ups with his gear - He's also now switched from Gretsch to Ludwig in the drum department.

Still, I have to admit, this was a bit of a surprise coming from the guy who is almost singlehandedly responsible for one of the most popular cymbal lines of all time - the Zildjian A Custom. I can understand the attraction, though. The other day, I picked up a Paiste Signature 18" Full Crash. It's a great cymbal and now I have a complete set of Signatures!

I've noticed that in recent years, Zildjian has lost quite a few big names to other brands: John "JR" Robinson, Tommy Aldridge, Neil Peart, Dave Weckl and now Vinnie. I know that there is some dissatisfaction with the company's discontinuing certain sizes and models, especially on my part. I have to admit that I'm not all that fond of the 'new" K and K Custom models. I much prefer the sound and feel of my older Ks from the 80s and 90s.

Sorry, I know that not everyone is into this geeky stuff, but I had to share with my fellow stickmen (and women!)

Zil, there's two or three threads going on in the Cymbalholic forums, if you haven't already seen them. Apparently the first thread started when someone posted a youtube video of Vinnie playing Seven Days with Sting and it was fairly obvious (to observant drummers) that he was playing some unknown Paistes. The logos had been removed from the cymbals, but they had the look of the new Formula 602s that Paiste recently re-introduced. Much debate followed, both about the cymbals and about Vinnie's mugging for the camera (was he mad or just goofing around?) I think most of the guys who like Paiste are pretty glad that he has switched over, and we're all hoping that the 602 line will be expanded to include the prototypes that he's using, like the 22" china, etc. There haven't been as many comments about the move to Ludwig, except that one person was kind of disgusted with the huge blue and olive Ludwig logo on the throne seat. Personally, I would rather that he move back to Yamaha, or perhaps go to Starclassics, but that's just me.

drummike wrote:Zil, there's two or three threads going on in the Cymbalholic forums, if you haven't already seen them. Apparently the first thread started when someone posted a youtube video of Vinnie playing Seven Days with Sting and it was fairly obvious (to observant drummers) that he was playing some unknown Paistes. The logos had been removed from the cymbals, but they had the look of the new Formula 602s that Paiste recently re-introduced. Much debate followed, both about the cymbals and about Vinnie's mugging for the camera (was he mad or just goofing around?) I think most of the guys who like Paiste are pretty glad that he has switched over, and we're all hoping that the 602 line will be expanded to include the prototypes that he's using, like the 22" china, etc. There haven't been as many comments about the move to Ludwig, except that one person was kind of disgusted with the huge blue and olive Ludwig logo on the throne seat. Personally, I would rather that he move back to Yamaha, or perhaps go to Starclassics, but that's just me.

Funny how all these "prototypes" used to be readily available back in the day! I once found a pair of 15" 602 Mediums like Vinnie uses but they were a bit too expensive for me. I'm sure now that the floodgates have been opened, we're going to be up to our ears in all our fave 602s by year's end.

I had some fun playing Mad Scientist this weekend, mixing different brands and came up with a VERY pleasing setup! Don't worry - Paistes make up most of it!